Arithmetical game



H. VERNEAU. ARITHMETICAL GAME. APPLICATION HLED MAYII, 1920.

1,403,989. Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

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Le 16 JE-nr y Vrneau, AA A j I zi wufl'qy UNITED STATES PATENT, GFFICE.

HENRY VERNEAU, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO HARRY A. REDHEFFER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

ARITHMETICAL GAME.

Application filed May 17,

To all 2071 0122- c't may concern Be it known that I, HENRY VERNEAU, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improve ment in Arithmetical Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games. It has for its object to produce an interesting and entertaining, as well as instructive, arithmetical game, which is simple and easily understood, and yet affords a test for quick mental calculation and alertness in the play.

, The invention consists in a novel arrangement and layout of a game board as a multiplication table, together with a complement of playing pieces, each of which latter is numbered to correspond to the number of the space or spot to which it may be applied on the board in playing the game. More specific reference to the arrangement and character of the board and the playing of the pieces will appear in the following description.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the game board with all the playing pieces placed thereon in proper relation;

- Figure 2 is a view of the same, partly in end elevation and partly in section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a fragmetary plan view of the game board with the playing pieces removed.

Generally stated, the game comprehends an angular system of play in setting down the respective pieces which are inscribed with the numbers designating the multiplicand, multiplier and product. That is to say, it comprises a rectangular board or chart A divided, preferably, from left to right and from top to bottom with an equal. number of spaces in horizontal and vertical rows. The top horizontal row B and left vertical row C are distinguished from the rest of the board or chart, as by different coloring as shown, or in any other suitable manner, and the respective divisions thereof are numbered to designate the places for the application of the correspondingly colored and numbered playing pieces D constituting the multiplicands and multipliers. The other divisions of the board or chart are inscribed with numbers designating the re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

1920. Serial No. 381,829.

spective products resulting from the multi plication of the several multiplicands and multipliers, and on the proper spaces so marked and in rectangular relation to the multiplicands and multipliers the correspondingly numbered and distinguished products playing pieces E are placed.

Any desirable number of divisions may be provided according to the invention, but it is preferable to have one hundred as shown in the drawing. That is to say, ten rows of ten divisions each.

The multiplicand and multiplier rows B and 0 each have their respective divisions numbered from 1 to 10 and afford playing spaces for nineteen pieces, one of said pieces being numbered 1 and the remainder comprising a duplicate set of nine pieces, each set being numbered from 2 to 10 inclusive. The remainder of the board, including eighty-one divisions, is inscribed with the multiples of the numbers 2 to 10 inclusive, in regular order and coresponding rows downward and crosswise of the board.

In playing the game, all of the playing pieces excepting the single piece numbered 1 are thoroughly mixed, as by shufiiing them face downward on a table or other smooth surface. Each player then draws an equal quantity of the pieces D without knowledge of the numbers thereon, and likewise an equal quantity of the pieces E. The first to play may be decided by lot or by agreement between the players. To make a play the player must be able to set down a piece in each of the rows B and C whose numbers constitute the multiplicand and multiplier for a certain product number he wishes to play, or else he must be able to set down a single piece in one of said rows B or C in coordination to a piece alread played in the other row. For example, the piece numbered 3 may be placed in the row B and the piece numbered 4 in the row C, as multiplicand and multiplier, and the product piece 12 may then be placed on the proper space marked 12 on the board in rectangular relation to said first two mentioned numbers; or, in case either the 3 or the i is previously played in either the row B or C, it is only necessary to supply the other number to make the play. So, too, it is possible to play a product piece without laying down a piece in either row B or C. For example, should the 3 and the 4: both have been played in each of the rows B and (j, and thetwo corresponding products pieces 12 been acof play may be termed a fill up play.

In playing the game the object in view is to get rid of all your playing pieces ahead of your opponent, and aside fromthe mental arithmetical calculation, opportunity is afforded :t'or skillful determination and manipulation in disposing of your playing pieces. 7 4

W'hat is claimed is:

1. A game comprising a board on which is inscribed a multiplication table, and a complement of separate playing pieces correspondingly numbered with the numbers of the respective divisions of the table, certain of said. pieces, constituting the multiplicands and multipliers, being distinguished from the remainder thereof constituting the respective products.

2. A game comprising a board on which is inscribed. a multiplication table, two rectangularly related, connecting rows of divisions of which are characterized as multi plicand and multiplier, respectively, the re mainder of the divisions being rectangularly correlated to those of said first two mentioned rows and characterized as prodnot, and a complement of separate playing pieces respectively marked with numbers corresponding to the respective divisions of the'table, the pieces characterized for multiplicands and multipliers being distinguished from those characterized for products.

3. A game comprising a board on which is inscribed a multiplication table, two first rows of divisions of the board being disposed in right'angular relation to each other and distinguished from the remainder oi the board and being marked with numbers progressing in regular order from thecorner of the angle and designatingthe location of the respective playing pieces constituting the multiplicands and multipliers, the remainder of the board comprising corresponding horizontal'and vertical rows of divisions marked with multiples of the respective numbers in said first two mentioned rows so that the product of any coordinated multiplicand and multiplier-is located on the board in rectangular relation to the same, and a complementof separate playing pieces correspondingly marked with the respective numbers on theboard, the pieces constituting the multiplicands' and multipliers being correspondingly distinguished from the those constituting the products pieces.

Signed at St. Louis, Missouri, this lth day of May, 1920.

HENRY ERNEAU, V 

